The Educational Psychology of Group Dynamics & Social Change

Catalog description

Change is designed to provide students with a general introduction to educational psychology along with theories of human growth and development. The course is designed to assist students in understanding and applying developmental theories and psychological research to central questions of learning and education in both school and non-school settings. Multiple theoretical traditions (e.g., developmental, biological, cognitive science, sociocultural, contextual, motivational, critical, and psychoanalytic) will be considered and critiqued. Larger societal issues will also be considered, as they impact and/or are informed by principles of educational psychology. The course is especially relevant to those considering careers in diverse areas, including business, public service, pre-school administration, teaching in non-school-based settings (e.g., environmental education, museum studies, or technology instruction), policy-making, community organizing, human resources, and the health sciences.